Centre for London has responded to the Mayor’s consultation on Towards the London Plan
What is the London Plan? The London Plan is a spatial development strategy for the Greater London area. It is one the most substantial instances of devolved power which is provided to the Mayor of London – written to outline targets, rules and regulations for urban development in London.
2025 has seen the release of Towards the London Plan¸ a document outlining the key proposals within the London Plan set to be published in 2027, which will plan for development across a 20-25 year timeline.
The Plan is currently in consultation phrase. Centre for London have provided a response – outlining the critical nature of London’s housing crisis and stagnating economy, while providing clear cut solutions to these ongoing issues.
London’s development faces issues across all fronts. There is insufficient housing supply, with 366,000 Londoners on the social housing waiting list. Housing is increasingly unaffordable, 1 in 4 Londoners living in poverty after paying their housing costs. And our housing crisis and major reduction in industrial land has contributed to our stagnating productivity.
We have responded to the London Plan, drawing on insights from across our work to set out how this piece of planning policy can unlock the delivery of the homes Londoners need and support the capital’s economic growth. Our response covers viability issues, densification, industrial land and the creation of healthy, liveable spaces, and much more.
Strategic spatial planning is a vital tool to unlock new homes, and boost the economy. However, it is not an answer to London’s housing crisis in and of itself. We continue to advocate for financial investment into the capital and a sustained movement towards fiscal devolution. The only way to turn the tide on London’s housing crisis is through a joined-up, consistent effort across all levels of government.